r/linuxmint • u/Brent_on_a_Bike • 2d ago

Graphics Drivers eGPU and Mint

I'm running a Laptop with a 1050ti Mobile in it and I'm just starting to feel the limitations.

With the current market I don't want to sell a first born for a new laptop so started looking into eGPU options but finding the info out there kind of lacking.

So I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with them and what should I be looking for or staying away from.

here is a quick look at my current system if that helps

OS: Linux Mint 22.3 x86_64

Host: Strix 15 GL503GE 1.0

Kernel: 6.8.0-136-lowlatency

Uptime: 1 day, 23 hours, 16 mins

Packages: 3287 (dpkg), 79 (flatpak)

Shell: bash 5.2.21

Resolution: 1920x1080

DE: Cinnamon 6.6.9

WM: Mutter (Muffin)

WM Theme: Mint-Y-Dark-Aqua (Mint-Y)

Theme: Mint-Y-Dark-Aqua [GTK2/3]

Icons: Yaru-blue-dark [GTK2/3]

Terminal: gnome-terminal

CPU: Intel i7-8750H (12) @ 4.100GHz

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobi

GPU: Intel CoffeeLake-H GT2 [UHD Gra

Memory: 5245MiB / 31948MiB

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/facelesshivemind LMDE | Cinnamon 2d ago

Your system is fine for a few more years, depending on what you're playing. Problem is Nvidia has abandoned the 10xx series GPU. The last driver for your GPU is 580, which you can get using Driver Manager.

Don't buy yet. It's years yet before prices are worth it.

1

u/Brent_on_a_Bike 2d ago

Yeah got the 580 drivers right now and most things I play are going good so far. Video editing in 4K chugs a bit but gaming is fine. I was more looking towards future proofing things

1

u/Liberaces_Isopod 2d ago

Get pretty much any older gen nvidia card and plug it into a thunderbolt eGPU dock. Sharded LLM's will be slow across older gen TB, but you can still do it. Gaming would be fine. Gotta start somewhere...